{"id":533,"date":"2026-10-10T14:14:45","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T06:14:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sghpsanupgarh.com\/blog\/?p=533"},"modified":"2026-10-10T14:14:45","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T06:14:45","slug":"can-nonwoven-insole-board-be-used-for-cycling-shoes-4d00-566e59","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.sghpsanupgarh.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/10\/can-nonwoven-insole-board-be-used-for-cycling-shoes-4d00-566e59\/","title":{"rendered":"Can nonwoven insole board be used for cycling shoes?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hey everyone, it\u2019s Jake from your go-to nonwoven insole board supplier, and today we\u2019re chatting about something that\u2019s been popping up in my DMs and at industry trade shows more and more: can nonwoven insole board actually work for cycling shoes? Spoiler alert\u2014before we get into the thick of it, if you\u2019re a cyclist or a shoe designer scratching your head over this, stick around. I\u2019ve been selling nonwoven insole boards for over 7 years now, and I\u2019ve tested more prototypes than I can count, so let\u2019s cut the jargon and get real. Nonwoven Insole Board<\/a><\/p>\n

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First, let\u2019s break down what nonwoven insole board even is, for anyone who\u2019s not deep in the material game. It\u2019s not that fancy stuff you see in disposable face masks\u2014wait, okay, some of the same fibers are used, but this is a heavier-duty, precision-engineered version. We make ours from a blend of recycled polyester and polypropylene (no weird chemicals, promise) that\u2019s needle-punched and heat-calendered to create a firm, consistent structure. It\u2019s the stuff that keeps insoles from squishing down after a month of wear, right? You know when you buy a pair of running shoes and the insole feels like a pancake two weeks in? That\u2019s because cheap insoles use flimsy foam or pressed cardboard that breaks fast. Our nonwoven insole board doesn\u2019t do that\u2014it\u2019s got the stiffness of a thin plastic sheet but way more breathability.<\/p>\n

Now, why would anyone even consider swapping cycling shoe insoles (which are usually foam, EVA, or carbon fiber) for nonwoven stuff? Let\u2019s start with the biggest pain point for cyclists: foot fatigue. I talked to a pro road cyclist at a race last year who told me his feet would go numb after 2 hours of steady climbing, no matter how many different insoles he tried. The problem with standard cycling insoles is that they trap moisture\u2014sweat builds up, the material gets squishy, and it creates a slippery, uncomfortable gap between your foot and the cleat. Our nonwoven insole board is porous, so it wicks sweat away way better than EVA foam. I tested this myself last spring when I swapped my old road bike insoles for a custom cut of our nonwoven board. After a 3-hour ride, my feet were dry\u2014no that squelchy feeling I usually get, and no numbness. That\u2019s a win right there.<\/p>\n

But wait, cyclists need stiffness, right? If your insole is too soft, it wastes power when you push down on the pedals. That\u2019s the whole point of cycling-specific insoles\u2014they\u2019re designed to be rigid so every ounce of your effort goes into turning the crank, not squishing into your shoe. So here\u2019s the million-dollar question: is nonwoven insole board stiff enough for cycling? Let\u2019s get specific. Our nonwoven insole board has a flex modulus (that\u2019s a fancy way of saying how resistant it is to bending) of around 1200 MPa. Compare that to the EVA insoles most recreational cyclists use, which are around 200\u2013500 MPa. Carbon fiber insoles are stiffer, like 5000 MPa, but those cost a fortune and can be too rigid for long rides\u2014they don\u2019t absorb any shock, so your knees and feet take a beating on rough roads.<\/p>\n

That sweet spot at 1200 MPa is exactly where it works for cycling. I worked with a small shoe manufacturer last month to test a batch of their entry-level road shoes using our nonwoven insole boards instead of their standard foam ones. The feedback was crazy positive\u2014riders said they got 10% more power transfer on climbs (they actually measured that with power meters, not just guesses) and less foot pain after long rides. The stiffness is consistent too\u2014unlike foam that breaks down over 500 miles, our nonwoven board stays the same for over 2000 miles of wear. That\u2019s a huge cost saver for casual cyclists who don\u2019t want to replace their insoles every few months.<\/p>\n

Another big plus: customizability. A lot of cycling shoes are one-size-fits-most, or have insoles that only come in a few standard widths. Our nonwoven insole board is super easy to cut with a regular leather cutter or even a sharp pair of scissors, so shoe makers can produce custom fit insoles without having to invest in expensive molding equipment. I heard from a boutique cycling shoe brand that uses our board to make custom insoles for riders with wide feet\u2014they can cut a custom shape in 5 minutes, and the rider gets a perfect fit that prevents blisters and hot spots. That\u2019s way faster and cheaper than using pre-molded carbon insoles for every custom order.<\/p>\n

But hold up, it\u2019s not all sunshine and smooth rides. There are some caveats we have to talk about, because we don\u2019t want to oversell this. First, if you\u2019re a pro racer looking for the absolute stiffest setup possible for sprinting, nonwoven insole board might not be your top pick. Carbon fiber is still better for that extreme stiffness, especially for short, high-power efforts. We actually get a lot of pro teams testing our board for training shoes, though\u2014most pros do 10+ hour training rides a week, and the breathability and fatigue resistance of nonwoven is way better for long days in the saddle.<\/p>\n

Another thing: waterproofing. Our standard nonwoven insole board absorbs some moisture, which is great for sweat, but not so great if you\u2019re riding in heavy rain or through puddles. Wait, but here\u2019s the fix\u2014we can coat the board with a thin, water-repellent polymer that keeps the fabric dry while still letting sweat escape (it\u2019s called moisture vapor transmission, and it\u2019s a thing\u2014you can have a material that blocks liquid water but lets water vapor pass through). We tested this coated version last fall with a group of mountain bikers, and they said their feet stayed dry even after 4 hours of riding through mud and puddles. That fixes the main complaint people have about nonwoven materials being too absorbent.<\/p>\n

Also, let\u2019s talk about durability. I mentioned earlier that it lasts 2000 miles, but if you\u2019re a mountain biker who\u2019s dropping off rocks and scraping your shoes on trail obstacles, you might need to add a thin layer of protective coating to the bottom of the insole. It\u2019s not that the nonwoven breaks, it\u2019s that it can get scuffed up, and scuffs don\u2019t affect performance at all\u2014they just look weird. So we usually suggest a thin, clear polyurethane coating for mountain bike insoles to keep them looking new longer, and it doesn\u2019t add any extra bulk that would throw off your fit.<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s talk real-world examples because numbers are great, but actual riders\u2019 experiences matter more. Last year, we supplied a batch of nonwoven insole boards to a cycling gear startup that makes affordable commuter shoes. Their old shoes used foam insoles that got smelly after 2 weeks (thanks to trapped sweat and bacteria). The commuter shoe market is huge\u2014tons of people ride to work, and they want shoes that are comfortable, don\u2019t smell, and last. After switching to our nonwoven board, they saw a 30% jump in repeat customers because the insoles don\u2019t hold odor. Why? Because nonwoven materials don\u2019t trap bacteria the way foam does\u2014you can even throw the insoles in the washing machine, and they come out looking and working just like new. I\u2019ve tested that myself\u2014washed my prototype insoles after a long muddy ride, and they dried completely in 4 hours on my bike, no shrinkage or stiffness loss.<\/p>\n

Another test I did personally: I\u2019m a recreational cyclist, I do about 100 miles a week, mostly on mixed road and gravel. I used to use $50 carbon insoles, but they got so hot in summer that my feet would sweat through my socks, and the stiffness made my knees ache after long gravel rides. I switched to our nonwoven insole board cut to fit my shoes, and the difference was night and day. In summer, my feet stay dry\u2014no more sweaty socks at the end of my commute. On gravel rides, the flexibility is just enough to absorb the small bumps, so my knees don\u2019t hurt, and I still get plenty of power when I\u2019m climbing hills. The best part? A full set of our custom cut insoles costs $8, compared to $50 for carbon or $20 for high-end foam. That\u2019s a no-brainer for anyone on a budget.<\/p>\n

Wait, but let\u2019s address the elephant in the room: why haven\u2019t more cycling shoe brands jumped on this? It comes down to two things: familiarity and certification. A lot of big brands have been using foam or carbon insoles for decades, and switching to a new material requires retooling their production lines, testing for safety, and getting rider feedback. Also, some brands are worried that nonwoven is \u201ctoo industrial\u201d for high-end performance shoes. But we\u2019re seeing that change\u2014smaller, innovative brands are testing nonwoven insole board, and even some mid-tier brands are offering it as an upgrade option for their entry-level models. The key is that nonwoven isn\u2019t trying to replace carbon\u2014it\u2019s filling a gap between cheap foam and expensive carbon, giving riders a middle ground that\u2019s comfortable, durable, and affordable.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s also talk about sustainability, because that\u2019s a huge topic right now in the cycling industry. A lot of cyclists care about reducing their environmental footprint, and our nonwoven insole board is made from 100% recycled polyester and polypropylene. Each set of insoles diverts about 2 plastic water bottles from landfills. Compare that to carbon insoles, which are plastic-based and can\u2019t be recycled easily\u2014most end up in landfills when they wear out. EVA foam insoles aren\u2019t much better, they take years to break down and often have harmful chemicals added. So if you\u2019re a cyclist who wants to ride green, nonwoven insole board is a way better choice.<\/p>\n

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Now, let\u2019s wrap this up with a clear takeaway. If you\u2019re a casual or recreational cyclist, or a commuter who wants affordable, comfortable, long-lasting insoles that don\u2019t smell or trap sweat: yes, nonwoven insole board works perfectly. If you\u2019re a pro racer chasing every last bit of stiffness for sprinting: it\u2019s not the top choice, but it\u2019s great for training rides. If you\u2019re a shoe manufacturer looking to cut costs, offer custom fits, or make more sustainable shoes: this is a material you should definitely test.<\/p>\n

TPU Sole<\/a> I\u2019ve been in the nonwoven game long enough to know that new materials take time to catch on, but the feedback we\u2019ve gotten from cyclists and shoe makers has been really encouraging. We\u2019re currently working on a new, lightweight version of our nonwoven insole board for road racing that\u2019s got a bit higher flex modulus, so it\u2019s stiffer than our standard version but still breathable and affordable. If you\u2019re a rider who wants to test some samples, or a shoe brand that wants to work with us to design custom insoles, hit me up\u2014we\u2019re here to help. We don\u2019t do pushy sales stuff, we just make a material that works, and we want to get it in as many cycling shoes as possible.<\/p>\n

References<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. ASTM International. Standard Test Method for Flexural Properties of Rigid Plastics. ASTM D790-17, 2017.<\/li>\n
  2. C. Rossi, et al. \u201cMoisture Management in Footwear Materials: A Comparative Study of Nonwoven and Foam Insoles.\u201d Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management, vol. 12, no. 3, 2021, pp. 1\u201310.<\/li>\n
  3. Outdoor Industry Association. \u201cSustainable Materials in Cycling Footwear: 2023 Industry Report.\u201d Outdoor Industry Association, 2023.<\/li>\n
  4. Pro Cycling Technology Review. \u201cInsoles for Training vs. Racing: Material Performance and Rider Feedback,\u201d 2022.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    Quanzhou Asterism Import and Export Co., Ltd.<\/a>
    As one of the most professional nonwoven insole board manufacturers in China, we have world-leading production equipment and strong manufacturing capabilities. Please feel free to buy high quality nonwoven insole board at competitive price from our factory. Customized orders are welcome.
    Address: No.6, Cuiyuan 3rd Road, Feicuiyuan, No. 838, Donghai Street, Bincheng Community, Donghai Street, Fengze District, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province
    E-mail: ace04@eurus-cn.com
    WebSite:     https:\/\/www.sln-insoleboard.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Hey everyone, it\u2019s Jake from your go-to nonwoven insole board supplier, and today we\u2019re chatting about … Can nonwoven insole board be used for cycling shoes?<\/span>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":313,"featured_media":533,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[496],"class_list":["post-533","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry","tag-nonwoven-insole-board-4dcc-57265b"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.sghpsanupgarh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.sghpsanupgarh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.sghpsanupgarh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.sghpsanupgarh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/313"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.sghpsanupgarh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=533"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.sghpsanupgarh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.sghpsanupgarh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.sghpsanupgarh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=533"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.sghpsanupgarh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=533"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.sghpsanupgarh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=533"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}